Tropical Storm Emily Causes Lakeland Flooding

LAKELAND, FL — Tropical Storm Emily may have made landfall in Manatee County, but her effects were still felt in Lakeland. As of Monday afternoon, Polk County officials reported that one family had 4 inches of water in their home and several roads were closed.

According to Polk County Fire Rescue, the home that flooded out is located in the 5400 block of Old Highway 37.

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“The American Red Cross is assisting the family,” fire rescue spokesman Kevin Watler wrote in an email to media. “Five people live at the home, three adults and two children.”

Watler also reported that several roads in the Lakeland area were closed due to flooding. They are:

• Duff Road, between Green Road and Highway 98 North
• Glean Oak Drive and Shady Oak Drive East
• Wasbash at 10th Street
• Reynolds Road and Kirk Street

It is unclear how long the road closings might last. Fire rescue announced their closings at 4:05 p.m. July 31.

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